Category Archives: Aspects of writing

A blog about the topics of writing, Aspects of writing

Amazon Best Selling Author: Sharon C. Williams

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I came across something by complete accident. I found out that my children’s series in audible made the Amazon Best Sellers list last week. I am not sure how high up the chart they went since again I found out by accident. But they did make the top 75, as of last week that is, and for that I say WOOHOO!!!

I been on this list before years ago with an anthology I collaborated with but this time this is my own individual works.

I had not even announced that my books had been made into audibles yet. That will be for a different post however.

Making a splash for our books is not only wonderful but not easy to do. So to see something like this really made me pause, not believing I was seeing what I was seeing at first, but after the happy, giggling and good feeling inside quickly filled in.

But even if does not maintain that number or improve at least I can say it has occurred with the screen shots for prosperity.

A blog about the topics of writing, Aspects of writing

New writers: Get your 1st draft in the best shape possible

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When your done your first draft of your first book what happens next?

One should have a group of beta readers and critiquers to help you flush out what needs to be fixed in your manuscript. If you think your first draft is gold, that it’s 100% correct and it needs no revisions you are living in a fantasy world.

Time and time again I’ve reviewed for authors and companies and I run across a book that is riddled with grammatical errors, loopholes, weak characters, weak plots and that is just the beginning.

You work so hard on getting this done but writing is the easy part. I remember when someone told me that and in my naiveness I thought, “Yeah, right.”

Yeah, right. They were so right.

You are not going to get it correct all the way through on the first try. Revisions after revisions are in your future, if you want your book to do well, that are needed to get it in the best possible shape you can.

If you are new, and even not a new author, and can not find beta readers or a critique group in your area go online. There are host and host of groups that are willing to help you. If that is not your cup of tea than start your own group.

For if you plan on submitting your manuscript to publishers you are giving them an easy way to say no and toss it in the slush pile. They get thousands and thousands of submissions. Don’t make it easy for them to reject you.

Get it done the proper way. Your book will thank you for it.

A blog about writing, Aspects of writing

2018 NaNoWriMo winner:Yay!

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As I mentioned earlier I decided to embark on doing NaNoWriMo for 2018. This is where you attempt to write 50K words in the month of November. Thankfully on the 19th of November I crossed that barrier at 50.065. I continued to work on this manuscript for November but not at the pace well the manic pace I was doing prior to getting the words needed.

I was reminded over the 19 days why I don’t do NaNo as regular as I use to. My first try was in 2011 and I won and continued the next two-year winning those as well. But the toil to accomplish this is hard especially if one has a job, family, one is ill or a host of other things . So I always try to get it done early. My best time was when I won NaNo in 15 days but that was harsh. But it is a good feeling being 4-0 as my record for this.

It is a fun thing to do don’t get me wrong. The people I meet and hang out is inspiring and motivating. Meeting new people and new writers to hang out with in the future is a definite win.

Will I do NaNo next year I am not sure. At the moment I think not. But considering how I decided I was doing NaNo 2018 three days before it started could happen again.